Les Grandes Miseres de la Guerre

Jacques Callot (1592-1635), Les Grandes Miseres de la Guerre, etchings, 1633, the complete set of 18. Lieure 1339-56, the frontispiece third state (of 3), the remaining impressions second state (of 3). In very good condition, with narrow or thread margins, c. 3 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches.

Provenance:

Unidentified collector (blue oval stamp on mat, not in Lugt)

Fine early impressions, half with the Cornet watermark (Lieure 44) Lieure notes as characteristic of the early first or second state impressions. The first state is extremely rare according to Lieure (RRRR); in the third state (for Lieure 13340-56) the name Israel (Israel ex. Cum Pruilegio Regis) was effaced and replaced by the “Callot inv.et fec.”

Callot’s Disasters series remains one of the hallmarks of early 17th C. printmaking; and of course it’s relevance to political and social life has never diminished.